Home--it still looks pretty good

Tango may have gotten comfortable on the boat, but believe me, he is happy to be home too.  Thanks all for following our travels.  It's been an adventure.  Never would I have believed that in my old age, I would have been sailing across the gulf stream, exploring new islands, and all the while living on a boat. 

Here's to fun adventures for all of you too!

Back in the US of A and Backtracking

Sorry for the delay in the blog.  My computer thought it was time to quit when we reached the states.  But thanks to my hero, Larry, it seems to be behaving tonight.  I have no great pictures to show you.  Symmetry is on the path back to Oriental.  Lake Worth (near Palm Beach) was our landing spot in the US.  We immediately called the customs number and  got an official we couldn't understand (his accent was a problem and when we kept asking him to repeat, he would get angry.)   But all our numbers (passport, etc)  were deemed appropriate and we proceeded on our way.  Then came fifty mile stints with occasional stops at favorite places.  In St. Augustine our friends Mike and Sonda greeted us and sent us away with homemade cookies. There is a museum in St. Augustine that is a perfect fit for Larry.    It is one man's collection of collections.  Naturally we had to visit it.  We are now in one of our favorite towns--Charleston.  So this means that Oriental and the Pamlico Sound are about a week away.  The weather has been great here and the tourist season here seems to be at its height. 

Tango has finally decided that he likes being on the outside;  so he now spends his days curled up on a cushion in the cockpit or sprawled on the main sheet next to the helm. I guess he was just waiting for the warmer weather.

Symmetry got a much needed bath today.  Turns out South Carolina has the same yellow pollen Oriental has.  And I thought we were special.  Charleston also has no see ums.  If you don't know what they are, count yourself lucky.

It does feel good to be back in the US.  The Bahamas was a fun adventure and a beautiful country, but my friends weren't there.  And although we met wonderful people that we hope to see again, I'll be happy to embrace the guys from home.  And--get my hair done!

Bimini--site of new friends and fine food

A nice French wine and fresh lobster.  As Larry's mother wou ld say, "I wonder what the poor people are doing tonight".

Conch salad yesterday for lunch and fresh red snapper today.  I certainly will miss the fresh fish.  But there is no blue crab and no shrimp--the Carolina staples.

The boaters we have met here are an interesting mix.  David and Peggy are from Georgetown, Washington DC.  She sold real estate and he was a private contractor, but they could easily be mistaken for free spirits from the 60s.  Matt is from Chicago, is 22 years old, singlehanding on a barely equipped semi racing boat; John is an ex navy seal who is also singlehanding.  The boat next to us has a Dane and his American wife--a second marriage for both. Between them they have 13 children, all were home schooled.  This was because the couple were missionaries in Asia.  She was a clown and he was a ventriloquist.  Don't ask me how that worked.  Another couple is from Minnesota lake country and their accent clearly gives them away.  Shades of the movie Fargo.  All but John are headed for the Exumas.  Matt wants to get to the Ragged Islands.  It will be interesting to see if he makes it.

There was a boat grounding yesterday.  The boat was a 52 foot Jeanneau.  The captain got confused on the way in and went right up on a sand bank.  Instead of trying to back off, he abandoned ship.  Then the boat really got into trouble.  It is totalled.  He paid $5000 just to have it hauled into the marina.  Then I guess someone (insurance?) has to pay for breaking it up and disposing of it.  Sad.  Cruising is not for novices, I guess.  Or people that panic easily.  Wait a minute--what am I doing here?

Roberta's favorite Observations with Larry's retorts (as written by Larry)

1.  Why is that guy waving his arms?  
                   /Heave the f___ing spring line now!
2.  What a beautiful day!                    
                    /Yup
3. I miss Sophie, grandkids, etc.         
                   /Tango loves you.
4. No e-mail today from friends/family. 
                  /Maybe you should read another book.
5. I'm terrified!                                     
                      /Calm down, trust your captain.
6. I'm terrified                                        
                     /Who knew the waves would be eight feet?
 7. What exactly is the plan?                  
                      /No plan is a good plan. Flexibility is a virtue.
8.  SV x is  going to   y Cay today                       
                 /They are probably leaving  too early (late)
9. Come to Oriental--you can use our  slip, eat our food, etc.    
                   /maybe you could help me  with my projects   
10. What time is the dock party?              
                    /Will the cute girl in the tiny bikini be there?
11. I'm running low on wine.                    
                       /try some of my mango rum
12. That boat/ship is going to hit us!          
                         /It is still 200 feet away, relax
13.I think I will dress up for the party        
                         /I'll wear my jeans
14. Did you notice the huge refrig- freezer on that boat?
                           /Ice is cheap
 

Yipes! Civilization and Spring Break College Students

We are in Nassau and down at the Cruise Boat dock the spring break college students were in full force getting drunk in the morning.  Mildly amusing.  And there are stores and cars and people!  We are having a bit of culture shock.  But will leave tomorrow for less traveled waters.

What can we say about "shake your booty" contests?

We did like this "safe sex" poster.

Back at a Beautiful Marina

The trek back begins and we are again at Sampson Cay Marina, one of our favorite spots.  The wait has again begun for a break in the fronts.  Most boats are hunkering down for tonight's blow which might get up to 40 knots.    We feel lucky to be tied to a dock.  Here are some pics from recent days.

The word was that we had to eat at Lorraine's restaurant in Black Point on Great Guana Cay.  So we did.  Along with Lorraine came her very assertive granddaughter.  By the way, the red snapper was fresh and good and the Kalik beer was cold.

Also at Black Point was a man building a racing boat.  It caught our interest and he waved us over for a look.  It has a mahogany and fir frame with a pine keel.  All will be epoxied and painted.  Races at a big sport here and this man had won the last big race with another of his boats.  Bahamians are such friendly people.  We feel so welcomed here.

Tango has not used his bed in weeks.  This day he chose to sleep in my bread basket.  He just fits.  Other places of interest for him are on top of the dvd player, on top of the computer and in the middle of the nav table.  None of these places are to the liking of his owners.

We went to lunch at a place that feeds nurse sharks around their docks.  It is quite a sight and one can swim with them.  We didn't.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It was nice to be with friends from Oriental for a brief time.   Left to right:  Mary Ann Parham, Joyce Russell and Tom Russell.  We ate lunch together and did a little beach walking.  Then Mary Ann went back to Calculation; she was on a mooring near Cambridge Cay and we and the Russells returned to Sampson Cay marina.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Once in a while we look at a picture and think:  yes, this is why we came, a white beach, unbelievably blue water, and warm weather.  This is worth all the crazy fronts and wild winds.  This is the beautiful Bahamas.

The Top Twenty-one--What Cruisers Like

These are not in any particular order--I don't think.

1.  Hot showers
2.  News from friends and family
3.  Meeting other boaters  (at happy hours preferably)
4.  Wind from the right direction (but not too much)
5.  Calm seas
6.  Good weather forecasts that tell you when this will happen.
7.  A grocery store near an anchorage or a marina
8.  A good internet connection (so one can get   news from friends and family) .
9.  Cheap or free laundry facilities ( boy does word get around)
10.  An anchorage that holds and where one doesn't rock and roll all night.
11.  Warm dry weather
12.  Nice places to walk or bike on shore.  (maybe a few nice shells)
13.  Nice places to see under the water
14.  Equipment that does what you want it to do and doesn't break down.
15.  Someone who can help you when your equipment doesn't do what you want it to do.
16.  Good books to read.
17.  Ice easily available
18.  Places that will accept your trash.
19.  Places that have good water.
20.  The occasional good restaurant
21.  News from friends and family